Patricia Lewsley -Mooney

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

Presentation to CYPSP Board

20 October 2014

OUTLINE

1. The role of NICCY – Duties & Powers: A Summary

2. How we deliver – The NICCY Organisation

3. NICCY’s current high level corporate objectives

4. Relevant projects

5. Engagement with CYPSP

6. Value of working together

The Role of NICCY

Legislation: NICCY Order 2003

Aim: To safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people

Term of Office: 4 years renewable once

Duties and Powers – in summary over next 2 slides

STATUTORY DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER

Article 7 of the 2003 Order outlines the duties of the Commissioner as:

- To promote an awareness and understanding of the rights and best interests of children and young persons.

- To keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice relating to the rights and welfare of children and young persons.

- To keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for children and young persons by relevant authorities.

- To advise government and relevant authorities on matters concerning the rights or best interests of children and young persons.

- To communicate effectively with children and young persons and their parents and raise awareness of the function and location of the Commissioner and how they can contact her.

- To seek the views of children and young persons in exercising her functions.

- To make the services of the Commissioner available to children and young people in their local area.

The Commissioner’s PowersArticles 8-15 outline the Commissioner’s general po wers where she can:

- Undertake, commission or provide financial or other assistance for, research or educational activities concerning the rights or best interests of children and young persons or the exercise of her functions.

- Issue guidance in relation to any matter concerning the rights or best interests of children or young persons.

- Conduct investigations as she considers necessary or expedient to meet her duties listed above.

- Compile information, provide advice and publish any matter (including research, educational activities, investigations and advice) concerning the rights and best interests of children and young persons.

- Make representations or recommendations to any body or person relating to the rights and best interests of children and young persons.

- Assist with complaints to relevant authorities.

- Bring, intervene in or assist in legal proceedings.

NICCY Organisation

Participation

Train’g & Educ’n

Administration Officers

Corporate Services

(CE)

Commissioner

Chief Executive

Department Heads

Legal &

Investigations

Policy &

Research

Finance &

Accounts

Senior Officers

Human

Res’s

Admin’

Assistant

Participation

Train’g & Educ’

Communications

PR, Ev’ts & Media

Participation

Tr’ & Ed’

Comm’s, PR,

Ev’ts & Media

Comm’s PR,

Ev’ts & Media

Admin

Officer

Asst PA &

Finance

Admin

Officer

PA

Legal &

Investigations

Policy &

Research

Legal &

InvestigationsLegal &

Investigations

Policy &

Research

Policy &

Research

Communications

& Participation

Admin

Officer

NICCY Organisational

& Line Management Structure 2013

Participation

Train’g & Educ’n

Administration Officers

Corporate Services

(CE)

Commissioner

Chief Executive

Department Heads

Legal &

Investigations

Policy &

Research

Finance &

Accounts

Senior Officers

Human

Res’s

Admin’

Assistant

Participation

Train’g & Educ’

Communications

PR, Ev’ts & Media

Participation

Tr’ & Ed’

Comm’s, PR,

Ev’ts & Media

Comm’s PR,

Ev’ts & Media

Admin

Officer

Asst PA &

Finance

Admin

Officer

PA

Legal &

Investigations

Policy &

Research

Legal &

InvestigationsLegal &

Investigations

Policy &

Research

Policy &

Research

Communications

& Participation

Admin

Officer

NICCY Organisational

& Line Management Structure 2013

NICCY’s Current Objectives

HLCO 1. Government will meet its obligations to undertake a ll the appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the UNCRC.

HLCO 2.Breaches or violations of children and young people ’s rights will be identified, challenged and resolutio n sought / achieved using the most appropriate of the range of legal powers vested in the Commissioner

NICCY’s Current Objectives

HLCO 3.Key Stakeholders will have an increased awareness o f Children and Young People's Rights, the UNCRC and t he functions of the Commissioner

HLCO 4. All children and young people will enjoy a high qua lity education which develops their personality, talents and abilities to the full.

NICCY’s Current Objectives

HLCO 5. All children and young people will enjoy the best possible health and will be protected from all form s of violence, abuse, neglect or mistreatment.

HLCO 6. All Children and Young People in Conflict with the law will be treated with dignity and their rights respe cted.

NICCY’s Current Objectives

HLCO 7. All Children and Young People who are vulnerable du e to poverty, family background, age, disability or othe r reasons will not experience discrimination but enj oy their rights on an equal basis to other children.

HLCO 8. NICCY utilises Organisational resources – Human and Financial - effectively and efficiently to maximise overall Corporate Performance and Impact in pursuit of the Rights and Best Interests of Children and Young Peo ple.

Relevant Projects - Research

• Shared Education consultation with pupils

• By their side and on their side: Reviewing the Evidence for Guardianship for Separated Children in NI- 2014

• Still Vulnerable- The Impact of Early Childhood Experiences on Adolescent Suicide and Accidental Death- 2012

Relevant Projects - Research

• Children’s Budgeting

• Welfare Reform

• Barriers report and Child Rights legislation projec t

Relevant Work – Policy Advice

• Special Educational Needs and Inclusion and Transit ions

• Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Further Provisi ons and Support for Victims) Bill

• Delivering Social Change

• Advising on Play and Leisure, Childcare, Child Pove rty, Children’s Strategy,

Relevant Projects - Legal

We recently supported a case before the SENDIST Tribunal where a child was found to have been discriminated against in relation to his access to education.

We also recently intervened in a case where a Trust refused to provide a bail address for a young perso n accused of a serious crime. The Trust stated they were not a child in need as their needs were being met in Woodlands. Judge disagreed and Trust had to provide a bail address.

Relevant Projects - Casework

•This year we are producing our first Annual Casewor k Report which will be published in November.

•In 2013-14 business year dealt with 483 enquiries

•Main areas are education and social care

•Within education SEN is the main areas (37%) Bullying is the next largest area of complaint.

Relevant Projects - Communications

Engaging with our Key Stakeholders• Media Engagement – 90% of all media positive/neutral

• Political Engagement - 95% understanding of NICCY/increasing mentions of NICCY & UNCRC in debates, committee meetings & committees

• Publishing Corporate Documents (Corporate Plan, Annual Report)

• Media/Campaign/Event management on key work program mes

• New enhanced website in 2015

• Social media channels – Twitter (1,889 followers)

• E-zine – 2,000+ recipients

• Strengthening Corporate Brand

Relevant Projects - Participation

• ‘Walking or Talking Participation?’ Report

• Participation Policy Statement of Intent (PPSI)

• Local Government Bill – Community Planning

Relevant Projects – Awareness Raising

Train the Trainers & Capacity Building with:

• Teacher Training Colleges

• Community and Youth Work Students

• Local Councils

• Health Professionals

• Parents & Carers

•Children and Young People

Engagement with CYPSP

Common objectives of NICCY and CYPSP grounded withi n the Rights of Children and Young People.

Protocol in place – NICCY & CYPSP

Attendance at meetings/subgroups:• Children with emotional behavioural difficulties• Transitions of C&YP with disabilities into adulthoo d• C&YP with disabilities• Looked after children / youth homelessness• Think family• Parents Reference Groups

Value of working together

• Primary benefit: information sharing including research

• Positive experiences of working together

• Can promote consistency of messages on shared objectives

• Our shared goal is one of promoting children’s and young people’s rights and best interests

Thank youwww.niccy.org

‘A Society in NI where

all Children and Young People

flourish, are valued and their views

are respected.’

Vision